Announcing the 2026 STaRR Emerging Researcher Grant recipients

We are delighted to announce that the following health practitioner researchers have received 2026 STaRR Grants:

2026 STaRRship recipient

• Romy Renzow, Midwife and Project Officer, Barwon Health: Embedding equitable and sustainable trauma-, neurodiversity-, and shame- aware training and support practices in a hospital setting.  Amount awarded: $15,000

2026 STaRR Seed Grant recipients

• Sophie Jahnecke, Pharmacist, Pharmacy Workforce Development, Barwon Health. Evaluating a credentialing pathway for extended scope of practice – Pharmacy technicians completing best possible medication histories. Amount awarded: $4995
• Kidman Ng, Physiotherapist, Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Outpatient Respiratory, Grampians Health. Reviewing the Education and Self-management Components in Grampians Health – Ballarat Pulmonary Rehab program. Amount awarded: $4692
• Kelly Barnes, Research Assistant and Health Promotion Officer, Western District Health Service. The Hidden First Responders: Understanding the Role of Health Administration Staff in Facilitating Timely Care for Farmer Needlestick Injuries. Amount awarded: $4,502
• Justine Watts, Dietitian, Palliative Care and Cachexia Clinic, Barwon Health. Prevalence and severity of eating related distress in community palliative care patients and their families. Amount awarded: $4,965

Our sincere congratulations to all recipients.